Abstract: A steering column having a composite steering column support housing formed from a fiber reinforced matrix material. By layering the fibers within the matrix material of the support housing to a specific orientation, controlling fiber length, and controlling fiber and polymer type, the performance of the steering column can be manipulated to optimize NVH, structural stiffness, load path, crash energy management, mass balance, and cost. The column support housing contains at least one mounting hole for coupling to either an instrument panel or engine compartment wall. The column support housing may have a protruding region for stabilizing the steering column to the instrument panel when the support housing is mounted to the engine compartment wall. The mounting hole can also contain an elastomeric washer or a filler material for improving dampening characteristics, and further may have a circular fiber orientation immediately surrounding the mounting hole to further improve performance characteristics.

Abstract: A steering column having a composite steering column support housing formed from a fiber reinforced matrix material. By layering the fibers within the matrix material of the support housing to a specific orientation, controlling fiber length, and controlling fiber and polymer type, the performance of the steering column can be manipulated to optimize NVH, structural stiffness, load path, crash energy management, mass balance, and cost. The column support housing contains at least one mounting hole for coupling to either an instrument panel or engine compartment wall. The column support housing may have a protruding region for stabilizing the steering column to the instrument panel when the support housing is mounted to the engine compartment wall. The mounting hole can also contain an elastomeric washer or a filler material for improving dampening characteristics, and further may have a circular fiber orientation immediately surrounding the mounting hole to further improve performance characteristics.

Abstract: A telescoping joint assembly and a method for making a telescope joint assembly 10. The joint assembly 10 has a pair of members 12, 14 which are telescopically engaged. Assembly 10 further includes a resinous, plastic and/or polymer material 16 which shrinkably coats or lines the inner shaft 12 after the inner shaft 12 is heated and exposed to a substantially inert gas, thereby providing a relatively durable and substantially “low friction” bearing or surface 18 which is effective to promote and/or assist the telescopic sliding motion between the members 12, 14.